Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to UseWhen to UseTipsPossible Side EffectsWhen to Seek Medical CareOther Solutions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How to Use
When to Use
Tips
Possible Side Effects
When to Seek Medical Care
Other Solutions
Saline drops are safe to use in babies with nasal congestion. They help clear mucus and draw moisture from swollen nasal tissues so your infant or toddler can breathe more comfortably.
Saline drops are ideal for babies because they do not contain medicine and it is easy to control the dosage.(Saline sprays and mistsare also available, but they are best used in children one year of age or older.Sinus rinsesare generally reserved for slightly older children who have larger nostrils.)
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Saline nasal drops and bulb syringes are both relatively inexpensive and readily available online or at most drugstores and pharmacies.
To safely administer nasal drops:
It’s best to limit suctioning to two times per day. Anything more than this can irritate the nasal passages and cause swelling.
Bulb syringes can be difficult to clean and may harbor bacteria.Do your best to thoroughly clean the syringe with soap and water after each use.
The saltwater in saline drops draws moisture out of tissues either to reduce swelling in people with nasal congestion or to increase moisture in people with dry nasal passages. It also helps soften and dissolve crusty mucus plugs so you can remove them.
Most commercial saline drops contain 0.65% sodium chloride (salt).
Saline nasal drops for infants and babies can be purchased online and in many drugstores, pharmacies, and big box retailers.
Tips to Make the Process Easier
You may feel anxious about giving nasal drops if your child is fussy or in distress. These tips can help make the process go a bit more smoothly:
Though saline drops do not contain any medications, they can cause side effects, particularly if overused. The side effects, if any, tend to be mild.
Possible side effects of saline nasal drops include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Signs of a Medical Emergency
Other Ways to Relieve Nasal Congestion
Things to Avoid
It’s important to avoid the following:
Summary
Saline drops can help babies and infants breathe when they are congested. It is important to know the correct way to administer saline drops.
If the congestion does not clear with the saline drops, call a healthcare provider before using any other form of medication, even if it is meant for use in babies.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Chirico G, Quartarone G, Mallefet P.Nasal congestion in infants and children: a literature review on efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological treatments.Minerva Pediatr. 2014;66(6):549-57.
Hanson LA.Recommended antiseptics for killing bacterial growth in neonatal blue bulb syringes: addressing a clinical issue.Sigma Repository. 2017.
Li CL, LIin HC, LIn CY, Hse TF.Effectiveness of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation for alleviating allergic rhinitis in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.J Clin Med.2019 Jan;8(1):64. doi:10.3390/jcm8010064
Drugs.com.Simply Saline (nasal).
Nemours KidsHealth.Fever (High Temperature) In Kids.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Caring for Your Child’s Cold or Flu.
Consumer Healthcare Products Association.Children’s cough and cold medicines.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Coughs and colds: Medicines or home remedies?Updated November 21, 2018.The Nemours Foundation.Medications: Using them safely. Reviewed November 2018.
American Academy of Pediatrics.Coughs and colds: Medicines or home remedies?Updated November 21, 2018.
The Nemours Foundation.Medications: Using them safely. Reviewed November 2018.
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